Andrew Pelechaty previews Canterbury’s game against the Gold Coast. This is what we have to look forward to.
FORM LINE
Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
Despite all the non-Broncos fans willing them to find another win, Canterbury squandered another winning position on Sunday night. Leading 20-12 at halftime against Canberra (tries to Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, Raymond Faitala-Mariner, Josh Jackson, and Kerrod Holland), the Bulldogs lost the second half 22-0 to comfortably lose 34-20 and stay in last place, still two agonising points behind Brisbane.
Gold Coast Titans
The Titans scored their fifth win of season (surpassing their four wins in 2019), beating St George Illawarra 14-10. The Titans trailed 10-4 in the 71st minute before tries to Tyrone Peachey and Jamal Forgarty sealed the win. They’ve just about secured the “Queensland minor premiership” as well.
SQUAD NEWS
Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
1. Will Hopoate 2. Nick Meaney 3. Marcelo Montoya 4. Kerrod Holland 5. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 6. Kieran Foran 7. Lachlan Lewis 8. Ofahiki Ogden 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Dylan Napa 11. Josh Jackson 12. Raymond Faitala-Mariner 13. Aiden Tolman 14. Jake Averillo 15. Renouf To’omaga 16. Matt Doorey 17. Luke Thompson 19. Sauaso Sue 20. Jack Cogger 21. Reimis Smith 22. Tim Lafai.
Gold Coast Titans
1. AJ Brimson 2. Corey Thompson 3. Brian Kelly 4. Young Tonumaipea 5. Phillip Sami 6. Ashley Taylor 7. Jamal Fogarty (c) 8. Jarrod Wallace 9. Mitch Rein 10. Jaimin Joliffe 11. Sam Stone 12. Beau Fermor 13. Tyrone Peachey 14. Erin Clark 15. Moeaki Fotuaika 16. Keegan Hipgrave 17. Sam Lisone 18. Tanah Boyd 19. Jai Arrow 20. Anthony Don 21. Jai Whitbread.
KEY STAT
The head-to-head is close, with Canterbury leading 9-8 since 2007. The Bulldogs have won two of the last three games: 22-16 (2019) and 26-14 (2017).
BATTLE TO WATCH
Lachlan Lewis vs Jamal Fogarty
A big clash between the halfbacks in this game.
Lewis has played 10 of the Bulldogs’ 16 games, with six try assists, three linebreak assists, and a tackle efficiency of 80.6%. If the Bulldogs are to finally close out a game, Lewis will need to step up.
Fogarty has been a big part of the Titans’ resurgence, playing 14 games and completing a remarkable rise from a last-minute development contract at the start of the season to becoming captain. He’s had six try assists, five linebreak assists, a tackle efficiency of 87.6%, and scored the game-winning try against the Dragons last week (making up for being denied by Josh Papalii the week before). Expect Fogarty to have a big game.
GAME DETAILS
The poor old Bulldogs have plenty of heart, but seemed to have forgotten how to win. The Titans have won two of their last four, and will fancy themselves to grab win number six and do their Queensland cousins a favour.
Gold Coast by 10.
Date: Saturday, September 5.
Venue: ANZ Stadium, Homebush.
Kick-off: 3pm.
